The uncommon Mycobaterium ulcerans infection and its public health importance

Document Type : Scientific and Research

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Animal Health Research Institute

Abstract

Mycobacterium Ulcerans infection or Buruli Ulcer is the third most frequent mycobacterial disease in humans .The epidemiology of BU is poorly understood. Some evidence exists for an environmental reservoir associated with slow-flowing or stagnant water. However, culture of M. ulcerans from the environment has never been successful.  Treatment of advanced disease is often difficult and complicated by persistence and replace. Surgery is still considered the main treatment option despite its poor acceptability, high costs, and failure to prevent recurrence.  In lab diagnosis ,Mycobacterium ulcerans isolates are sensitive to decontamination methods. All decontamination methods currently used for the isolation of M. ulcerans from clinical specimensMycobacterium ulcerans belongs to a group of mycobacteria that are potentially pathogenic for humans and animals. These are sometimes called opportunistic mycobacteria' or 'occasional pathogens'. Most species belonging to this group are ubiquitous in nature, and may become pathogenic under special circumstances. These mycobacteria generally cause mycobacterial diseases that are not contagious. The disease in pet animals is considered of great importance in public health issue, some records of the mycobacterium ulcerans in cats were reported and discussed the epidemiological relationship with the buruli ulcer infection in contact women in some countries. The development of PCR for quick identification of M. ulcerans in clinical and environmental samples has greatly improved the diagnostic yield as well as our
understanding of the epidemiology of Buruli ulcer.

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